We are all still in shock after the tragedy that took place in Parkland several days ago. We lost 17 innocent people on that day, and many others were badly injured.

As the minutes and hours passed, people began sending their condolences to the victims and their families. Then, as the facts crystalized, we learned more about the perpetrator, his lifestyle, his interests and hobbies, his mental state, and his obsession with guns/firearms. We also learned about what the FBI knew, what school officials knew, and what others knew about the perpetrator.

Finally, people took to social media and began pointing fingers at, and blaming, the FBI, the school personnel, the president, Congress, Republicans, Democrats, the National Rifle Association, and the gun laws in the United States. This was an understandable emotional response to a horrific tragedy.

I am a Republican. I am also very conservative. However, being “loyal” to one political party should not, and does not, prevent me from being objective and critical of some laws that Republicans tend to support. I am a supporter of the Second Amendment. However, I can support the Second Amendment, yet agree that certain changes might be warranted in order to confront the changing climate/risks that we are facing as a nation.

Seventeen people were killed when a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Feb. 14, 2018.

Seventeen people were killed when a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Feb. 14, 2018.

For example, maybe we need to raise the minimum age requirement for gun ownership? Maybe we need to restrict/ban certain types of guns? Maybe we need to conduct more thorough background checks on those who want to purchase a firearm? Maybe we want to mandate mental/psychological testing as a condition to owning a firearm? This is not an attack on the Second Amendment, nor is it aimed to eliminate the rights that we are afforded. It is also not a guarantee that such measures will prevent such tragedies from happening in the future. However, it is a start.

Unfortunately, it seems like some people have allowed their political affiliation to cloud their judgment to the extent that they have lost the ability to reason and to think clearly. Some on the right opine that the Second Amendment is perfect the way it is, that guns are not the problem, that such tragedies are a mental health issue, and that we need to eradicate gun free zones in schools. Conversely, some on the left opine that we need change (a term that is used too loosely and the meaning to which remains unclear), that the gun laws are antiquated and/or that guns are not needed at all, that assault weapons should be banned altogether, and that the NRA is an evil institution.

More concerning is the fact that some on both sides of the political spectrum refuse to budge, and resort to name calling and personal attacks, despite clear indicators that some type of change and dialogue is necessary.

The willingness to sit down at the table and to discuss possible revisions to a law is not a sign of weakness, nor does it show disloyalty to our particular party of choice. Rather, it is a sign of intelligence and maturity, and reflects a desire to get things done for the betterment of society.

We all want the same thing. We want to live in a safe society and we want our children to be safe. Hopefully, we can allow common sense to enter the equation and to help guide us towards this common goal.

Elad Hakim, P.A. is a law firm located in Boca Raton, Florida. Mr. Hakim, who lives in Boca, focuses on civil and commercial litigation, landlord tenant disputes, business torts, and personal injury.